environment-friendly heating with renewable energies
Clarity about particulate matter
Particulate matter is currently a highly explosive topic and affects all of us. The question is not only how harmful the dust is for humans, but also where it comes from. On the one hand, fine dust arises naturally, but on the other hand it is a man-made problem. In addition to diesel vehicles and cruise ships, wood-stoves and fireplaces are also cited as the black sheep of environmental pollution. But how much particulate matter does the wood stove or fireplace in your own four walls really cause?
If we are talking about plants that have been in operation for 20 years or more, a significant number of particles, such as soot or fine dust, can escape. But these technically outdated plants often do not meet the standards of the Immission Control Act. In this law, the limit values for systems before 2015 are set at 4 grams of carbon monoxide and 0.15 grams of dust per cubic metre. Newer plants must even comply with limits of 1.25 grams of carbon monoxide and 0.04 grams of dust per cubic metre.
Since the law came into force in 2011, outdated systems have been withdrawn from circulation or must be retrofitted with special filters. Modern wood stoves and fireplaces are thus demonstrably no longer to be regarded as the main sources of particulate matter emissions, but much more as environment-friendly heating technology using renewable energy sources.
Reasons for popularity
Wood-stoves enjoy a high level of popularity among young and old as well as in the city or in the countryside and regardless of income. It is therefore hardly surprising that every fourth household owns a fireplace or tiled stove. The stove is not only used in the cold months, but also for cooking and baking - as a good alternative to conventional heat generators in many respects.
Wood is the No. 1 renewable energy in the heating market - more than two thirds use wood to generate heat. The popularity may be historical in nature and certainly also results from the pleasant living and lifestyle feeling that emanates from a warm fireplace or stove. Wood is a comparatively cheap energy source, regionally available and safe to store and handle. Wood is rightly more popular than geothermal energy and solar thermal energy. However, these energy sources should not be seen as the enemy of wood. As a hybrid heating system, for example, wood and solar thermal energy can complement each other in an ecologically sensible way when used in a central heating system.
Wood is undoubtedly a regenerative energy source. Germany's forests are growing, and sustainably at that! Already one third of the country is forested and every year there is an increase of 13 % despite the use of wood. A large proportion consists of hardwood, which is less popular in industry and thus offers large energy wood reserves.
Stay clean!
Whoever pays attention to a sustainably modern system has already laid the foundation for low-emission firing. Behind every good stove system, however, there is also an environmentally conscious person who contributes to clean operation with expertly correct handling. After all, what use is the most technically advanced wood stove if people do not operate it properly? The biggest risk factors include using wood that is too damp, logs that are too large and throttling the combustion air. With these 3 wrong factors, emissions are produced with good wood firing, often through ignorance. The best solution to counteract this is an electronic combustion control system.
OUR TIPS FOR A CLEAN FIRE:
Use only dried, untreated wood, with proper storage.
Attention should be paid to the log size and appropriate amount of wood.
Provide sufficient oxygen supply.
The best lighting successes are achieved with natural lighting aids, such as the "Fidibus", a softwood fibre strip soaked in paraffin.
Conclusion
Modern wood stoves are an environment-friendly way of heating with renewable energies. When used as hybrid heating systems, different energy sources can complement each other optimally. Responsible handling is indispensable for proper use.
Every low-emission combustion system must also be operated correctly. Avoid heating errors, such as using wood that is too moist and logs that are too large. In the best case, an electronic stove control helps you to operate your wood-stove optimally.
